Teachers use Fair as learning tool

Close to 2,000 third-graders are escaping the classroom to head to the Appalachian Fair.

The idea is to bring education to life through hands-on lessons in science, technology, and agriculture. Each of the 13 learning stations are based on Tennessee's common core education standards.

The teachers take back a bag filled with supplies and a list of the education guidelines covered during the event.

"When we go back into the classroom we can go back into their memory and ask the kids, 'Do you remember when we went and saw the beekeeper and he talked about the bees?'" explained Jennifer Johnson, a Boones Creek Elementary teacher.

The field trip is free to the students and also includes lunch.

As a reward for their attention, each student does go home with a free admission ticket and ride tickets to return to the fair after the gates open to have some fun.